KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Lonnie Bragg first noticed the pains in his chest in 2009 while at home. His wife, Sue, called an ambulance, and Lonnie was brought to Borgess Medical Center, where two aneurysms were discovered, including one in the groin area. He was treated and went home a week later, but returned to Borgess a few years later, where he received a new and unique vascular procedure.

Syed Alam, MD, Advanced Vascular Surgery, and Jerry W. Pratt, MD, FACH, FACC, FCCP, medical director, thoracic surgery, Borgess Heart Institute, performed a total aortic arch debranching and Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) in March 2014. Lonnie’s entire aorta was replaced during the TEVAR procedure. Drs. Alam and Pratt are among the top tier in southwest Michigan for treating patients like Lonnie. They, along with numerous other Borgess Health physicians, are now combining their talents to create the region’s first and only vascular center.

Advanced Vascular Surgery, The Surgical Group of Southwest Michigan, Borgess Cardiology Group, Borgess Heart Center for Excellence, and Premier Radiology are now part of Borgess Vascular Institute. Borgess Vascular Institute encompasses preventive care, coronary angioplasty, open surgery and rehabilitation. It undertakes a multidisciplinary approach to managing peripheral vascular disease.

“In southwest Michigan, Borgess is a leader in vascular surgery,” said Krishna M. Jain, MD, FACS, medical director, Borgess Vascular Institute. “Our expertise spans multiple disciplines, including vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, interventional radiologists, neurointerventionalists, podiatrists, wound care specialists, diabetologists, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, nephrologists and other specialists.”